Fashion College partly in English

Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design (SAPU) offers a two-and-half-year full time program. Our staff, all specialists within different areas of art and design, provide a program of study that enables a student release his full potential. After 20 years of experience the school has achieved a high standard and an exellent reputation. We have been able to place many students in Polish fashion companies, ranging from cutting-edge boutiques to the largest industry enterprises listed on the Polish Stock Exchange. Some students have also found employment with international companies operating in a diverse range of countries. The school is approved by the Polish Ministry of Culture, and is listed in the Ministry’s Art School Directory. The school is opened for international students and tuition is held in English. Our intensive and comprehensive academic tuition in fashion allows students to prepare an excellent portfolio.

Since many years the School’s graduates have been taking part in Polish and international contests for fashion designers and they have won numerous prizes of high importance for their carriers:

Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design (SAPU) is the only private school of fashion to have received the Honorary Golden Thread – a very prestigious award for distinguished individuals and institutions in Polish fashion, granted by the Lodz International Fair (MTL).

During The International Fashion Competition „Habitus Baltija” in Riga, Latvia – Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design was awarded a title „The Best School” in years 2009 and 2011. The event brings together 10 fashion universities from all over Europe.

Our graduates have won numerous awards in Polish as well as international competitions – most recently Anka Letycja Walicka won the international competition Fashion Culture in London, in which the second and third places were taken by graduates from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design

SAPU’s graduates hold prestigious internships abroad and work in the world’s top fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, John Galliano, Claude Bonucci,

In 1999 Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design was awarded prestigious prize „The Silver Loop” for its contribution into the development of Polish fashion industry granted by Poznań International Fair.

Since 1994 Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design has educated more than 1,500 designers who work in fashion companies in Poland and abroad, and many design under their own brand name and are currently recognized in the fashion industry.

Thanks to the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design diploma show and an intensive promotion of SAPU graduates, the City of Krakow was the 33rd in the ranking of the world’s fashion capitals in 2012 overtaking Moscow, Frankfurt, Vienna, Miami and San Francisco.

You can find articles about SAPU and its graduates in significant magazines both Polish and international – Vogue, Collezioni, WGSN, Dexigner and more.

Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design is organizing a prestigious diploma show – Cracow Fashion Awards, which opens Cracow Fashion Week and attracts major media representatives and fashion celebrities from Poland and abroud.

At SAPU the students are in the heart of a vibrant community, alive with creative energy. They are surrounded by people who love what they do, who have ideas and talent, plans and passion. What happens in the classroom reflects what goes on every day in the industry’s workshops, showrooms and studios. Fashion is a highly diverse industry and it takes determination, hard work, flexibility, and passion to succeed. Our school is for self motivated fashion enthusiasts, informed and mature enough to commit to a course that is demanding in both its breadth and depth. Students receive an intensive education with individual attention. The school, in a single location,allows students to interact freely and often, encouraging an exchange of ideas and debate. The informal, lively atmosphere creates a community of working artists.

Graduates’ carrier prospects

Our graduates work in all areas of fashion and within a wide variety of fashion companies, both manufacturers and retailers. Job descriptions include, design entrepreneurs, freelance designers and consultants, pattern cutters, fashion journalists, stylists, photographers, illustrators, marchandisers and public relations representatives. Some graduates set up their own workshops, and achieve independence and respect as professionals, selling their unique skills and work. During five semesters of study at SAPU you can prepare an outstanding portfolio of art work, paintings, design and photos which will open doors to the best of the world’s fashion graduate programs in Fashion including Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Teachers

Central to the school’s philosophy is a concept of the artist-teacher. All teachers are employed part-time so they are able to pursue their professional carriers alongside their teaching. Many are established and distinguished fashion designers and bring to the school their invaluable professional experience. This system ensures that the students are taught by a variety of individuals who offer different perspectives. All teachers place a high value on initiative, entrepreneurship, determination, evidence of experimentation, and the students’ willingness to look at the chosen subject with a fresh eye and an enquiring and critical mind. General arts classes are taught by university professors, artists with great professional achievements, participanting in many international exhibitionsWe invite also international experts in various fields of design and art: Lucia Benická (Slovakia), Gary Baseman (USA), Mark Bickerstaffe (UK), Ernestine Ruben (USA), Naomi Rosenblum (USA), Martin Pegler (UK), Veronique Rouge (France), Joanna Błażejowska – Pecorari (France), Carol Morgan (UK) and more. The educational philosophy is not to cram an information but to release creative potential. This is accomplished through the personal attention. Our success is based entirely on the flexibility, variety and quality of the curriculum we offer. We attract students who want to invest in a creative education as their first step towards a fulfilling and expressive future.

The 2.5 year full-time program introduces students to the essential skills of fashion and textile design from sketch pad to catwalk. It includes design, textiles, fashion illustration, garment construction and garment styling. English and Polish classes are held for two years. The graduates receive diploma – Fashion Designer.

Throughout the first semester students are introduced to the basic skills necessary to develop their creativity. There are separate workshops for life drawing, colour study, composition, painting, fashion drawing, shoe design, jewellery design and apparel design. The second semester provides students with the opportunity for further development of their skills in fashion design. New workshops are introduced, i.e. patternmaking, shoe design and textile design. Different colour techniques, modes of expression and numerous presentation methods are offered to the students. At the end of each semester students present their work at a scheduled fashion show.

The second year employs the basic skills already learned to develop a personal style through design research and to study many different fashion products. Students practise sketching men, women and children, and they research fashion trends, fabric choices, colour cards, and current season’s publicity material. In this year we emphasize definition, development and creation of collections. New workshops are introduced, i.e.: accessories including millinery, textile technology, fashion photography and the history of fashion. Again, at the end of each semester, students’ works are presented at fashion shows. The fifth and final semester concludes with an opportunity to design and manufacture a diploma collection. The best collections are presented at fashion show (Cracow Fashion Awards) in late March, which is the highlight of the school’s academic year.

AdmissionAdmission is open to any applicant with a high school diploma. No former study in the field of art is required, however, it is advantageous. It has been proven, that students without former artistic experience may have the talent to benefit enormously from taking our course of study. All that is required is a true interest in fashion, creativity and commitment. We are dedicated to providing entry to people within age range and from diverse backgrounds. No portfolio is required. Although most of our students will one day work in the fashion industry or begin their own businesses, some complete the course simply for the satisfaction that achievement brings.

When to applyApplication and admission are possible throughout the year. International students are strongly encouraged to apply early to allow time to complete all admission requirements. The school year starts at the begining of October and lasts until around 20th of June. There are no extra entries in spring.

How to apply

The admission process is completed only when all components of the application reach the school and the registration fee reaches our bank account.

Original certified copy of high school or university diploma with official, notarised translation into English by a court approved translator (if not in English)

4 photos

A photocopy of the passport page with photo and personal data

A medical certificate, confirming eligibility for study, translated into English by a court-approved translator (if not in English).

Confirmation of payment of entrance fee

Health insurance arranged with insurance agency before coming to Poland, translated into English

Reservation of addmissionThe students should fill in application form (in the attachment), scan it and send the signed document to: katarzyna.rapacz@ksa.edu.pl. Reservation for admission will be held for four weeks until all other documents reach the school by post and the registration fee reaches our bank account.

Completed application form with all other required documents should be posted to the following address:Krakowskie Szkoły Artystyczne ul. Zamoyskiego 52, 30-523 Kraków, Poland

Certificate of eligibilityAfter receiving all application documents and the registration fee, the school will issue by mail or post a Certificate of Eligibility, which may be necessary when applying for visa in Polish consulates. If a student needs a visa please let us know promptly about it.

All international students, should enroll in a Polish course at least one month before the beginning of the school year. We advice to take Polish language courses in your country or in Poland before starting education in our school. For our perspective students who decide to study Polish in Krakow we are opening one month language course in September (80h per month). Total cost of the course is 300 Euros per one month which is much less in other Polish courses in Cracow.

Fees must be paid by transfer in Euro. Payment before the 15th of September and 15th of February.

Tuition fees for non EU CitizensTuition fees in the school year 2015/2016: Students are liable for bank charges and must instruct your bank accordingly. Registration fee: 200 Euro Tuition fees: 1400 Euro per Semester Fees must be paid by transfer in Euro. Payment before the 15th of September and 15th of February.

The registration fee and tuition fees are non-refundable. No allowance is made for non attendance. Your registration fee will be returned in full only in case you don’t get Polish visa – except there might be some bank costs which you will have to cover.

There are no extra fees for taking part is scheduled fashion shows.

The fees do not include the cost of materials necessary for attending classes such as paints,drawing paper, fabrics for collection, although the school may occassionaly provide some necessary materials for students.

Tuition fees are payable in advance and students who are in arrears will not be allowed to enroll for the next year.

Many students may be eligible for financial assistance from their local education authority,in such cases the school is happy to provide any documentation to assist students in obtaining financial aid.

Average cost of living in KrakowThe average rent for a one bedroom appartment is arround 300 Euros per month. You can also share a flat with other students and lessen the cost dramatically. We can recommend reliable owners and estate agents. The best time for seeking an appartment is July and August. Monthly cost of living for a single person in Krakow is 200-250 Euros.

Would you like to study in Krakow and develop your artistic intertests? Do you want to turn your passion into a profession? Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design is your best choice! Find out more by phone at (+48) 122662111 or e-mail at ksa@ksa.edu.pl